My EOS R, So Far Anyway (Page 2): Getting to be like a Windows computer aren't they? 3 or 4 different ways to do everything! I expect it will take a while to sort out what works best.

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

Bill_de wrote:

Nice first impression post.

Having recently picked up a mirrorless camera I found that making it 'mine' took a little time. There seem to be more options to do the same thing than any DSLR I ever handled.

Continue to have fun and take pictures. Film is cheap.

--

Getting to be like a Windows computer aren't they? 3 or 4 different ways to do everything! I expect it will take a while to sort out what works best.

Lupane Loc: Gainsville, Ga.

LFingar wrote:

Well, there is definitely a learning curve compared to my previous Canons (starting with a T3i) and up to my current one, a 5DIV.
I was concerned about a "toy camera" look and feel. Nope. Even though it is noticeably smaller compared to the 5DIV it has the same well built, well finished look. I know, it's not as stoutly built or as well sealed, but the look and finish are fine. It fits well in my hand (which are on the large side) and all the controls are easily accessible.
There are fewer buttons. No "Mode" dial, for example. Instead, there is a Mode button in the center of the rear control wheel. Press the Mode button and you can use either control wheel or the touch screen to make your choice. The Mode is always shown on the top display even when the camera is off. Take the battery out and it goes away. Obviously it uses some power even when the camera is off. Canon recommends removing the battery whenever the camera is not in use for any period of time. Even overnight I would say.
A quirk that I noticed: There are 2 control wheels. On top, one towards the front, one towards the rear. In Av Mode the front wheel sets aperture and the rear wheel does nothing. In Manual Mode the REAR wheel sets aperture and the front wheel sets exposure. May be able to re-program that. Haven't checked.
Most of the control functions operate differently then on previous Canons. For example, on the 5DIV there is a dedicated ISO button. Push it and then use the control wheel to change ISO. On the EOS R you push the M-Fn button. This brings up a display with 5 functions to select from. You use the rear control wheel to select the function to change and the front wheel to make the change. Sounds inconvenient but after using it a few times it doesn't seem to be. Not to me, anyway.
Most all the buttons, wheels, and bars are customize able. Since I don't shoot video I use the Video button to instantly re-center the focus point/points. The * button I use to shift between One Shot and Al Servo. The M-Fn bar I have set to toggle between Auto ISO and 100 ISO. It has a safety feature to prevent accidental switching since all it requires is a touch. The bar doesn't actually move. It's just a touch sensor like a touch screen.
The menu is very similar to previous Canons and is displayed with a push of the Menu button, just like on previous models.
The LCD display comes on as soon as you turn on the power and stays on until:
1) The camera goes to sleep.
2) You reverse the screen.
3) You put your eye, or anything else, close to the EVF.
4) You disable it in the menu, leaving you just the EVF.
While the movable LCD screen certainly requires some care in using it, it doesn't seem fragile.
The new control ring on the RF lenses and lens adapter allows ISO to be changed by depressing the shutter release halfway while rotating the ring. Or, you can push the AF ON button located on the rear and rotate the ring.
The EOS R with the RF 24-105 weighs about 6 oz less then my 5DIV with EF 24-105 L IS (Earlier version, not the MkII lens).
Contrary to what some have claimed, Canon has not prevented the use of non-Canon batteries. The camera can use either LP-E6 or LP-E6N batteries interchangeably. I have 2 LP-E6 batteries that are at least 3-4 yrs old. One is a Watson and the other a Power2000. Both work just fine in the EOS R and display all the same data as the Canon LP-E6N batteries do. Same as in my 5DIV. No problems at all.
So far, even though there are differences, I don't find anything about the camera to be clunky or awkward. It will definitely take some practice to be comfortable with but I think I will find it to be quite user-friendly.

Attached is a jpeg I shot while sitting on the floor playing with the camera. I just set the camera on full auto to see what it would do in relatively low light. RF 24-105 lens. f/4.5, 125th/sec, ISO 8000. Focus point was the book titled "The Sword And The Shield".
(I know, I need to dust! My job since I retired, as my wife occasionally reminds me.)

Well, there is definitely a learning curve compare... (show quote)

Best way is to go out and put it through the grinder. One comment in my case, the EOS R eats batteries. I do not have the battery grip, I am ordering one as soon as B&H opens. I am posting a picture with the 100-400mm ii and the extender 1.4x iii, ISO 8000 f/8, no flash.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

Bill_de wrote:

Nice first impression post.

Having recently picked up a mirrorless camera I found that making it 'mine' took a little time. There seem to be more options to do the same thing than any DSLR I ever handled.

Continue to have fun and take pictures. Film is cheap.

--

I experienced the same thing when I bought my new mirrorless body, OM-D EM-5, Mii. “Mirrorless” breaks the D-SLR mold and frees the “digital camera” to be it’s own entity.

What is happening is that we are going through a paradigm shift

JD750 Loc: SoCal

LFingar wrote:

Getting to be like a Windows computer aren't they? 3 or 4 different ways to do everything! I expect it will take a while to sort out what works best.

Windows? GAWD I hope not! Suddenly in the middle of the fashion show with the top model walking down the isle toward you, Microsoft forces an update and your camera reboots and you miss the shot. We actually had something similar happen during a critical test where I work. The computer was running the test hardware, as is the norm, and since this is a known problem with windows, the computer was isolated, no Internet, no WiFi. It is also typical we don’t always have the latest .x software version because it breaks our test softwares. We want to control when to make updates. But something happened that required a re-boot and the operator did not realize that during the re-boot WiFI had been turned back ON. A few hours later the computer shut-down loading an update. Data was lost and critical hardware was endangered (but fortunately not damaged). Gotta love it!

Please please please do not ever put Windows software on my camera. Thank you.

VietVet Loc: Brooklyn, NY

I’ve read somewhere that Canon is no longer going to make updates leneses on the L line but instead concentrate on the new RF line.

Jackie_Thomas

That was very informative. Thank you for sharing. Q

LFingar wrote:

Well, there is definitely a learning curve compared to my previous Canons (starting with a T3i) and up to my current one, a 5DIV.
I was concerned about a "toy camera" look and feel. Nope. Even though it is noticeably smaller compared to the 5DIV it has the same well built, well finished look. I know, it's not as stoutly built or as well sealed, but the look and finish are fine. It fits well in my hand (which are on the large side) and all the controls are easily accessible.
There are fewer buttons. No "Mode" dial, for example. Instead, there is a Mode button in the center of the rear control wheel. Press the Mode button and you can use either control wheel or the touch screen to make your choice. The Mode is always shown on the top display even when the camera is off. Take the battery out and it goes away. Obviously it uses some power even when the camera is off. Canon recommends removing the battery whenever the camera is not in use for any period of time. Even overnight I would say.
A quirk that I noticed: There are 2 control wheels. On top, one towards the front, one towards the rear. In Av Mode the front wheel sets aperture and the rear wheel does nothing. In Manual Mode the REAR wheel sets aperture and the front wheel sets exposure. May be able to re-program that. Haven't checked.
Most of the control functions operate differently then on previous Canons. For example, on the 5DIV there is a dedicated ISO button. Push it and then use the control wheel to change ISO. On the EOS R you push the M-Fn button. This brings up a display with 5 functions to select from. You use the rear control wheel to select the function to change and the front wheel to make the change. Sounds inconvenient but after using it a few times it doesn't seem to be. Not to me, anyway.
Most all the buttons, wheels, and bars are customize able. Since I don't shoot video I use the Video button to instantly re-center the focus point/points. The * button I use to shift between One Shot and Al Servo. The M-Fn bar I have set to toggle between Auto ISO and 100 ISO. It has a safety feature to prevent accidental switching since all it requires is a touch. The bar doesn't actually move. It's just a touch sensor like a touch screen.
The menu is very similar to previous Canons and is displayed with a push of the Menu button, just like on previous models.
The LCD display comes on as soon as you turn on the power and stays on until:
1) The camera goes to sleep.
2) You reverse the screen.
3) You put your eye, or anything else, close to the EVF.
4) You disable it in the menu, leaving you just the EVF.
While the movable LCD screen certainly requires some care in using it, it doesn't seem fragile.
The new control ring on the RF lenses and lens adapter allows ISO to be changed by depressing the shutter release halfway while rotating the ring. Or, you can push the AF ON button located on the rear and rotate the ring.
The EOS R with the RF 24-105 weighs about 6 oz less then my 5DIV with EF 24-105 L IS (Earlier version, not the MkII lens).
Contrary to what some have claimed, Canon has not prevented the use of non-Canon batteries. The camera can use either LP-E6 or LP-E6N batteries interchangeably. I have 2 LP-E6 batteries that are at least 3-4 yrs old. One is a Watson and the other a Power2000. Both work just fine in the EOS R and display all the same data as the Canon LP-E6N batteries do. Same as in my 5DIV. No problems at all.
So far, even though there are differences, I don't find anything about the camera to be clunky or awkward. It will definitely take some practice to be comfortable with but I think I will find it to be quite user-friendly.

Attached is a jpeg I shot while sitting on the floor playing with the camera. I just set the camera on full auto to see what it would do in relatively low light. RF 24-105 lens. f/4.5, 125th/sec, ISO 8000. Focus point was the book titled "The Sword And The Shield".
(I know, I need to dust! My job since I retired, as my wife occasionally reminds me.)

Well, there is definitely a learning curve compare... (show quote)

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

Lupane wrote:

Best way is to go out and put it through the grinder. One comment in my case, the EOS R eats batteries. I do not have the battery grip, I am ordering one as soon as B&H opens. I am posting a picture with the 100-400mm ii and the extender 1.4x iii, ISO 8000 f/8, no flash.

Most of the battery usage is from the viewscreen. You can go in the menu and disable the viewscreen, but, then you have to access your menu and "Q" screens through the EVF. Or, you could just reverse the viewscreen when you don't need it. I rarely shoot in Liveview so I am in the habit of leaving it off, except that with all my other Canons pushing the Menu or Q buttons would activate it. Wish this one worked the same way. Maybe that will be addressed in future firmware updates.

Interesting photo. Thanks. Wish you had checked "Save" when you posted. Would like to see it at full size.

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

JD750 wrote:

Windows? GAWD I hope not! Suddenly in the middle... (show quote)

Calm down! Take another gulp of your coffee, or Jack, or both. Whatever works for you.

The thought of a Windows camera sends shivers down my spine also. If the industry went in that direction it would pretty much guarantee the return of film!
The EOS R, more then any other camera I have ever owned, does offer various routes to the same result. Now, it's just a matter of figuring out what works best for each person.

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

VietVet wrote:

I’ve read somewhere that Canon is no longer going to make updates leneses on the L line but instead concentrate on the new RF line.

Word is that Canon has only paused development of (but not the manufacture of) EF lenses and probably DSLR's as well for the time being while they concentrate their efforts on the EOS R line and RF lenses. I don't doubt that improvements and new EF's and DSLR's will continue to appear in the future, but, with the consumer market moving more and more towards mirrorless, it's unlikely we will ever see the same rate of development of DSLR' and EF's that we have in the past. I firmly believe that the future of the DSLR depends largely on whether or not the pro's are willing to replace their DSLR's with pro model mirrorless when they appear, as they no doubt will.

47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

LFingar wrote:

...Unlike all my previous Canons the EOS R did not come with any software disks. Everything would need to be downloaded from their site. Not a big deal really.

Canon seems to have gone that route with some more than just the EOS R. I picked up a 6d2 during the holiday sales. Missing was a software cd, a quick guide cheat sheet, and any cables. My 6d came with all that stuff as did my 7d2.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

Thanks for the great report. I like most things about this camera except for the backwards focus choices in the menus. The focus choices are like the ones I had in my old EOS 7D. Why didn't they make the focusing menu like the 7D II or the new 5D series. Also, 2 weeks before the release of this camera the Canon Learning Center had a hands on preview of this new camera and I got to play with one and use some of the new lenses too. They made a big deal out of the eye recognition. But when I tried it, it failed 8 out of 10 times. I think that they were making a big deal out of nothing. The other thing I didn't like was that they say it has so many fps burst but when it's used in AI-Servo mode tracking a subject it falls off dramatically. Maybe if they had used the newer focus menu choices like in the 7D II or 5D IV it would do better.

LFingar wrote:

Well, there is definitely a learning curve compared to my previous Canons (starting with a T3i) and up to my current one, a 5DIV.
I was concerned about a "toy camera" look and feel. Nope. Even though it is noticeably smaller compared to the 5DIV it has the same well built, well finished look. I know, it's not as stoutly built or as well sealed, but the look and finish are fine. It fits well in my hand (which are on the large side) and all the controls are easily accessible.
There are fewer buttons. No "Mode" dial, for example. Instead, there is a Mode button in the center of the rear control wheel. Press the Mode button and you can use either control wheel or the touch screen to make your choice. The Mode is always shown on the top display even when the camera is off. Take the battery out and it goes away. Obviously it uses some power even when the camera is off. Canon recommends removing the battery whenever the camera is not in use for any period of time. Even overnight I would say.
A quirk that I noticed: There are 2 control wheels. On top, one towards the front, one towards the rear. In Av Mode the front wheel sets aperture and the rear wheel does nothing. In Manual Mode the REAR wheel sets aperture and the front wheel sets exposure. May be able to re-program that. Haven't checked.
Most of the control functions operate differently then on previous Canons. For example, on the 5DIV there is a dedicated ISO button. Push it and then use the control wheel to change ISO. On the EOS R you push the M-Fn button. This brings up a display with 5 functions to select from. You use the rear control wheel to select the function to change and the front wheel to make the change. Sounds inconvenient but after using it a few times it doesn't seem to be. Not to me, anyway.
Most all the buttons, wheels, and bars are customize able. Since I don't shoot video I use the Video button to instantly re-center the focus point/points. The * button I use to shift between One Shot and Al Servo. The M-Fn bar I have set to toggle between Auto ISO and 100 ISO. It has a safety feature to prevent accidental switching since all it requires is a touch. The bar doesn't actually move. It's just a touch sensor like a touch screen.
The menu is very similar to previous Canons and is displayed with a push of the Menu button, just like on previous models.
The LCD display comes on as soon as you turn on the power and stays on until:
1) The camera goes to sleep.
2) You reverse the screen.
3) You put your eye, or anything else, close to the EVF.
4) You disable it in the menu, leaving you just the EVF.
While the movable LCD screen certainly requires some care in using it, it doesn't seem fragile.
The new control ring on the RF lenses and lens adapter allows ISO to be changed by depressing the shutter release halfway while rotating the ring. Or, you can push the AF ON button located on the rear and rotate the ring.
The EOS R with the RF 24-105 weighs about 6 oz less then my 5DIV with EF 24-105 L IS (Earlier version, not the MkII lens).
Contrary to what some have claimed, Canon has not prevented the use of non-Canon batteries. The camera can use either LP-E6 or LP-E6N batteries interchangeably. I have 2 LP-E6 batteries that are at least 3-4 yrs old. One is a Watson and the other a Power2000. Both work just fine in the EOS R and display all the same data as the Canon LP-E6N batteries do. Same as in my 5DIV. No problems at all.
So far, even though there are differences, I don't find anything about the camera to be clunky or awkward. It will definitely take some practice to be comfortable with but I think I will find it to be quite user-friendly.

Attached is a jpeg I shot while sitting on the floor playing with the camera. I just set the camera on full auto to see what it would do in relatively low light. RF 24-105 lens. f/4.5, 125th/sec, ISO 8000. Focus point was the book titled "The Sword And The Shield".
(I know, I need to dust! My job since I retired, as my wife occasionally reminds me.)

Well, there is definitely a learning curve compare... (show quote)

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

Jackie_Thomas wrote:

That was very informative. Thank you for sharing. Q

You're welcome!

Vince68 Loc: Wappingers Falls, NY

I'm a Nikon user and not looking at the EOS R, but I wanted to tell you that was a really great post you wrote about your experience so far with your camera. Very informative for anyone that might be considering purchasing one and having questions about other users experiences so far.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

VietVet wrote:

I’ve read somewhere that Canon is no longer going to make updates leneses on the L line but instead concentrate on the new RF line.

For the next year, but not indefinitely. They will go back to developing DSLR lenses after a year. At least that is their plan right now.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

LFingar wrote:

Calm down! Take another gulp of your coffee, or Jack, or both. Whatever works for you.

The thought of a Windows camera sends shivers down my spine also. If the industry went in that direction it would pretty much guarantee the return of film!
The EOS R, more then any other camera I have ever owned, does offer various routes to the same result. Now, it's just a matter of figuring out what works best for each person.

Ha ha. I am glad you are enjoying the EOS-R. Please keep us informed on likes/dislikes of the mirrorless format. It is very useful.

What do you mean return of film? Many people still shoot film. I shoot film as well as digital. Film is alive and well in the creative and artistic communities, and young people are discovering it as well. It's not like the old days but it is still available.